విత్తులు తీసిన కోడె, ఈకలు పెరికిన కోడి
vittulu tisina kode, ikalu perikina kodi
A castrated bull and a plucked chicken.
This expression refers to someone who has lost their strength, vigor, or natural defenses, rendering them harmless or powerless. Just as a castrated bull loses its aggression and a plucked chicken cannot fly or protect itself, it describes a person who has been stripped of their authority or capability to act.
Related Phrases
కోడిగుడ్డుకు ఈకలు తీసినట్లు
kodigudduku ikalu tisinatlu
Like trying to pluck feathers from a chicken egg
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to find faults where none exist, or someone who engages in unnecessary, nitpicking, and impossible tasks just to be difficult.
చచ్చినా పయికం తప్పదచ్చమ్మ యిక తిట్టకు
chachchina payikam tappadachchamma yika tittaku
Though you die the money must be forthcoming—O Achchamma! Don't abuse me any more. A Brahman after eating is bound by the ceremonial law to repeat the following : అమృతాపిధానమసి। రారవే పుణ్యనిలయే పద్మార్బుదనివాసినాం। అర్థినాముదకం దత్తమక్షయ్యముపతిష్ఠతు॥ O Amrita! thou art a covering. May the water given to the hundreds and thousands of [thirsty] askers in hell, the habitation of the wicked, endure without diminution. The above is a parody, the allusion being to a hard-hearted creditor and hypocritical formalist.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a debt, obligation, or tax is unavoidable even in death or extreme hardship. It highlights the persistence of financial liabilities or unavoidable duties regardless of one's plight, often used in a sarcastic or resigned tone when someone is being harassed for payment.
ముల్లు తీసి కొయ్య నింపినట్లు
mullu tisi koyya nimpinatlu
Like filling up a hole in a drill-plough with a thorn.
This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to solve a minor problem but replaces it with a much larger, more painful, or permanent one. It is used when a remedy is worse than the original disease, or when an action intended to help actually results in greater harm.
రెక్కలు పెరికిన పిట్ట వలె
rekkalu perikina pitta vale
Like a bird whose wings have been plucked.
This expression describes a state of utter helplessness, powerlessness, or vulnerability. Just as a bird cannot fly or protect itself without its wings, it refers to a person who has lost their primary source of strength, support, or resources, leaving them unable to function or defend themselves.
ఈకలుతీసిన కోడి, ఈనలు తీసిన మాల
ikalutisina kodi, inalu tisina mala
A plucked chicken and a leaf with its ribs removed.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that has been stripped of all strength, dignity, or resources. Just as a chicken without feathers or a leaf without its veins/ribs is weak and lacks structure, it refers to someone who is left completely helpless or impoverished.
మేకును పెరికిన కోతి వలె
mekunu perikina koti vale
Like the monkey that drew out the wedge. “ ‘ You know the story of the Monkey, don’t you ? ’ [ said Karataka ]. “The Monkey drew the sawyer’s wedge, and died; Let meddlers mark it, and be edited.” ‘ No ! ’ said Damanaka. ‘ How was it ? ‘ In this way,’ answered Karataka :— ‘ In south Behar, close by the retreat of Dhurmma, there was an open plot of ground, upon which a temple was in course of erection, under the management of a man of the Kayeth caste named Subhadatta. A car- penter upon the works had partly sawed through a long beam of wood, and wedged it open, and was gone away, leaving the wedge fixed. Shortly afterwards a large herd of Monkeys came frolicking that way, and one of their number, directed doubtless by the Angel of death, got astride the beam, and grasped the wedge, with his tail and lower parts dangling down between the pieces of the wood. Not content with this, in the mischief natural to monkeys, he began to tug at the wedge; till at last it yielded to a great effort and came out; when the wood closed upon him, and jammed him all fast. So perished the monkey, miserably crushed ; and I say again,— “ Let meddlers mark it and be edited.” ( Arnold's Book of Good Counsels from the Hitopadesa pp. 49, 50.)
This expression describes a situation where someone meddles in affairs they do not understand, resulting in trouble or self-inflicted harm. It originates from a fable where a monkey pulls out a wooden wedge from a split log, only to have its limbs caught when the log snaps shut. It is used to caution against unnecessary interference or curiosity in dangerous matters.
సవరించిన కొద్దీ నిక్కినట్లు
savarinchina koddi nikkinatlu
Like stretching more when being corrected or adjusted.
This expression describes a person who becomes more stubborn, arrogant, or defiant as you try to correct their behavior or humble them. Instead of improving or listening, they react by showing even more ego or pride.
కలలో కనుపించిన లంకె బిందెలు రాకపోయినా, పెరికి పెరికి పరుపంతా నీళ్ళచాయ మాత్రం అయింది.
kalalo kanupinchina lanke bindelu rakapoyina, periki periki parupanta nillachaya matram ayindi.
Though the pots of gold seen in the dream didn't arrive, the bed became soaked with water (sweat/urine) from all the digging efforts in the dream.
This proverb describes a situation where a person pursues an imaginary or unrealistic gain, and not only fails to achieve it but also ends up causing actual damage or mess to their current reality. It is used to mock those who waste energy on fantasies only to suffer practical losses.
విత్తుకు వేయి విత్తులు
vittuku veyi vittulu
A thousand seeds for a single seed
This expression highlights the principle of exponential growth and abundance. It is used to describe how a small initial effort, investment, or act of kindness can yield results many times greater than the original input.
తడిసిన కుక్కి బిగిసినట్లు
tadisina kukki bigisinatlu
Like a wet knot tightening further.
This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that becomes more complicated, stubborn, or difficult to resolve over time or due to certain actions. Just as a wet hemp rope or knot becomes tighter and harder to undo, some issues become increasingly rigid and unmanageable.